Anyone using Ramshot Big Game in 35 Whelen?

[fremont]

Specifically looking at using the 225 PT.

Having trouble finding much load data. Ramshot's manual only has Accurate powders in it.

 

[JD338]

I have been reloading the 35 Whelen since 1988.
The best powder I have found is RL15.
It delivers excellent speed and accuracy.

JD338

 

[truck driver]

I like CFE223 for my 35 Whelen AI. It's just a tad slower then R15 and it also works in the standard 35 Whelen.

 

[gerry]

I used it with 225's and got into the 2600 fps range before it got too compressed. With 250's it was around 2550 fps and the 275 gr Woodleigh was around 2450 fps. I'll try to find the data later when I have the chance. It is a bit slow with 225's in my opinion but does pretty good with the heavier bullets.

 

[gerry]

Please work up carefully if you try them, I don't have the 225 gr info saved but this could give you somewhere to start.

 

[preacher]

Oooh Gerry Gerry, that is suh-weet!

 

[JD338]

It doesn't get any better than that!

JD338

 

[gerry]

If I remember right that 59 gr Big Game load was right at 2400 fps. It does show that the 250 gr Speer and Big Game powder are both capable of excellent accuracy.

Not exactly 225 gr loads but I do hope freemont tries it to see what kind of speed it gets. It's certainly worth the try if you have some kicking around.

 

[sask boy]

I have been using RL15 and 225 gr. ABs since I started shooting my 35 Whelen and I get excellent accuracy and speed with it almost touching 2800fps.
Jim shooting those 250s like that would make me forget about any other load real quick :shock:.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

It doesn't get any better than that!

JD338

That is certainly accurate enough!

 

[grry10]

I'm also a fan of RL15 with with 225s. Accuracy is excellent in my Remington 7600.

 

[fremont]

I like CFE223 for my 35 Whelen AI. It's just a tad slower then R15 and it also works in the standard 35 Whelen.

TD, which bullet?

 

[fremont]

A quasi-update ("quasi" in the sense that I used a ball powder, CFE223 vs. Big Game). Tried CFE223 under 200 AB in my 338-06AI yesterday. Got great accuracy (only had time for 100 yds) especially with mag primer (CCI250); mainly used WLR but did a few with CCI mag primers and liked the latter better. Velocities in low-2700's. Am trying to go back to range later this week and do some final testing.

Also tried CFE223 in 35 WhelenAI, and, like much of the advice above, it seemed a tad slow. Going back to Re-15 for 225 AB.

 

[Dwh7271]

Cartridge          : .35 Whelen
Bullet             : .358, 225, Nosler PART SP 44800
Useable Case Capaci: 62.088 grain H2O = 4.031 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Ramshot Big Game

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   92    55.96   2441    2977   39936   7033     94.7    1.325
-09.0   93    56.58   2468    3044   41277   7113     95.1    1.306
-08.0   94    57.21   2496    3112   42667   7191     95.6    1.286
-07.0   95    57.83   2523    3180   44103   7266     96.0    1.267
-06.0   96    58.45   2550    3249   45602   7339     96.4    1.248
-05.0   97    59.07   2577    3319   47149   7410     96.8    1.230
-04.0   98    59.69   2605    3390   48756   7477     97.2    1.212
-03.0   99    60.31   2632    3461   50424   7542     97.5    1.194  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  100    60.94   2659    3533   52154   7604     97.8    1.177  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  101    61.56   2686    3605   53951   7663     98.1    1.159  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  102    62.18   2713    3678   55818   7718     98.4    1.143  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  103    62.80   2741    3752   57758   7771     98.7    1.126  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  104    63.42   2768    3827   59772   7820     98.9    1.110  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  105    64.05   2795    3902   61870   7866     99.1    1.093  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  106    64.67   2822    3978   64041   7909     99.3    1.078  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  107    65.29   2849    4054   66318   7948     99.5    1.062  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 3% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 3% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    102    62.18   2756    3794   59230   7688     99.3    1.116  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 3% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    102    62.18   2667    3553   52542   7710     97.1    1.172  ! Near Maximum !

 

[SJB358]

My current lot of RL15 is pretty danged slow (or fast however you look at it). I am in the 2750'ish range with the 225 Partitions using 63'ish grains with a CCIBR2 primer. Accuracy is pretty solid in the rifle though and I have chronoed it a few times now to double check my work.

I got onto 15 years back and it is still hard to beat with 225's and 250's in the Whelen. I use H4895 with 225 Sierras for 2675 in my 7600 Whelen and that is very accurate as well and does all that I need it to do.